The Earth's Internal Heat Energy and Interior Structure
http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/Heat.html

Victor Camp, Department of Geological Science, San Diego State University


This resource identifies the sources of the Earth's internal heat energy as extraterrestrial impacts, gravitational contraction of the Earth's interior, and the radioactive decay of unstable isotopes, each of which is explained in detail. A discussion of melting and compositional differentiation of the early Earth is followed by a description of the present layers, including the inner and outer core, mantle, and crust. In addition, the asthenosphere and lithosphere are described and illustrated.

This description of a site outside SERC has not been vetted by SERC staff and may be incomplete or incorrect. If you have information we can use to flesh out or correct this record let us know.


This resource originally cataloged at:

DLESE

Grade Level: College Lower (13-14), High School (9-12), Middle (6-8)